Clothes-pounder



(No Model.)

No. 407,807. 1 lyLtented July 30,1889.

HIHHHummmmulll Y 74%265565? Juve/fof? UNTTEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN VVOOLRIDGE, OF ROOKEFELLER, ILLINOIS.

CLOTHES-POUNDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 407,807, dated J' u1y30, 1889.

Application iled March 16, 1889. Serial No. 303,561. (No model.)

Fig. 2 is a combined pounder and rubber to be used in washing clothes, which I accomplish as illustrated in the drawings and as herein after described. l

That which I claim as new will be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,A represents abell-shaped piece, which is preferably made of metal. a is a hub at the upper end of this bellshaped piece A, the interior of which is screwthreaded.

B is a tube, the lower end of which is provided with a screw-thread by which it is secured to the hub a.

C is a handle, which is rigidly secured at the upper end of the tube B.

D is a hollow shaft,which may conveniently be made from gas-pipe. As shown, the lower end of this shaft is screw-threaded on the outside.

` E is a casting consisting,as shown,of a rim b, a number of arms c, and a hub d, the spaces e between the arms c being open. The parts b c CZ are t0 be cast together, and the hub (Z is screw-threaded on the inside to receive the lower end of the shaft D. Akey, pin, or other suitable known device may be used for securing the castingE upon the shaft D in addition to the screw-threads, if desired.

shaft D between the hubs a d.

in contact with the clothes, the same being.

placed in a suitable receptacle, as usual. By allowing the bellshaped piece A to remain at rest the operator using the handle F can partially rotate the shaft D and the casting E at the lower end thereof back and forth, and then the castingEwill perform the oflice of a rubber upon the surface of the clothes with which it is in contact, the spring G holding the rubber in contact with the clothes with sufficient force and yet allowing the same to yield sufliciently to prevent material injury to the clothes.

When the device is used as a pounder, the air within the part A can escape up through the hollow shaft D and out through the hollow handle F, as indicated by arrows. I have provided holesin the shaft D near its lower end through which the air in A can escape. Either one or both of these out-lets for air may be used at pleasure.

It is not necessary that the handle F be made hollow. Provision for the escape of air from the hollow shaft D might be made by making a hole (indicated by g) in the coupling f. This coupling not .only connects the shaft D and handle F,but serves the purpose of a stop to limit the downward movement of the shaft D and rubber E.

I do not limit myself to the speciiic form of rubber E shown and described. The arms or connect-ions between the rim and hub of the rubber may be greatly varied in form and number.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

l. The combination of the hollow pounder A, tube B, secured to the hollow pounder A, hollow shaft D, provided with an opening at or near ea-eh end for the passage of tir from F, rubber E, spring G, and an outlet for air the inside of the hollow pounder, and a rubfrom the pounder A, substantially as and for bei' E, secured to the hollow shaft D and eztthe purposes speoied.

pable of being rotated with suoli shaft, suhi JOHN VOOLRIDGE. 5 stayntially as and for the purposes specified. Witnesses:

2. The combination of the hollow pounder HENRY VAN HORNE,

A, tube B, handle C, hollow shaft D, handle 'HARRY T. JONES. 

